Spontaneous oesophageal perforation secondary to renal colic

Abstract

Abstract Boerhaave syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that involves a full-thickness tear of the oesophagus. It accounts for around 15% of all cases of oesophageal perforations and is associated with up to 40% of mortality. Vomiting has been found to be associated with the development of Boerhaave syndrome. However, the aetiology of vomiting varies broadly in the available literatures from alcohol indulgence to marathon running, and from panic attack to radiotherapy for cancer. We present here an unusual case of Boerhaave syndrome where the patient developed spontaneous oesophageal perforation in the setting of renal colic.